JP2003283898A - Digital camera charger - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently utilize a low-speed channel of a mobile phone communication network to thereby transmit image data to a desired destination such as an image server. <P>SOLUTION: A digital camera 1 for recording image data S0 to a memory card 11 is set to a cradle 2 for charging the digital camera 1. A UIM (User Identify Module) card 10 is inserted to the cradle 2, a communication means 26 makes communication with a base station 5 of the mobile phone communication network 3 on the basis of communication information recorded in the UIM card 10 and reads the image data S0 and order placing information C from the memory card 11 during charging of the digital camera 1, and transmits them to a network print system 4 via a base station 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital camera charging device for charging a digital camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital cameras having a communication function of transmitting and receiving image data acquired by image pickup have been proposed. On the other hand, as for mobile phones, camera-equipped mobile phones having image pickup means for acquiring image data by image pickup are becoming widespread (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 6-2333020 and 2000-253290). In such a digital camera and a camera-equipped mobile phone (hereinafter referred to as a camera-equipped mobile terminal device), image data acquired by imaging is temporarily recorded in an internal memory and displayed on a liquid crystal monitor of the camera-equipped mobile terminal device. , Can be attached to an email and sent to friends. In addition, the image data is transmitted to an image server that stores and manages the image data, and the image data is stored, and then the image server is accessed by a personal computer or the like to browse the images, create an album, and set the desired data. It is also possible to perform image processing and place a print order at a lab store connected to the image server.

[0003]

By the way, as the function of a camera provided in a camera-equipped portable terminal device increases, the number of pixels of an image acquired by imaging also increases, and as a result,
Image data is also increasing in capacity. However, the communication charge of the mobile terminal device is a packet system in which a charge is added according to the amount of data communicated or a time-based system in which a charge is added according to the communication time. There is a problem that the price will be high. For example, in the case of a packet system, the average amount of image data required to obtain an L size print is JPE.
When compressed by the G format, the packet communication charge is about 600 KB, and if the packet communication charge is 0.2 yen per 128 bytes, a charge of 937 yen is required to send one image data.

The data transfer rate of the camera-equipped mobile terminal device is not so high. For example, the data transfer rate of a mobile phone communication network is usually 9600 bps, and even the fastest one is PHS 64000 bps. Therefore, about 60
The time required to transmit 0 KB image data is 500 seconds at a normal data transfer rate, and 75 seconds is required even at a high speed. However, in the case of the time-based metering system, the communication charge is cheaper than that of the packet system, and is about 125 yen in the former case and about 20 yen in the latter case.

On the other hand, the data transfer rate of the mobile telephone communication network is being increased, and according to the standard of the next generation mobile telephone, IMT2000, the maximum communication speed is 2 Mbps.
Has become. However, even if the mobile telephone communication network is made to have a high-speed line as described above, high-speed data communication cannot be performed unless a terminal device corresponding to the high-speed line is provided. Also, since some users do not need high-speed lines, it is impossible for mobile phone connection companies to change all mobile phone communication networks to high-speed lines. There is a great demand.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and makes efficient use of a relatively low speed mobile telephone communication network,
The purpose is to transmit the image data acquired by the digital camera to a desired destination such as an image server.

[0007]

A digital camera charging device according to the present invention is a digital camera charging device having a charging means for charging a digital camera for acquiring image data by image pickup, wherein the image data is transferred from the digital camera. The reading means for reading out, the communication means for communicating with the mobile phone communication network of a relatively low speed, the communication with a desired destination during the charging by the charging means, and the image data are read out from the digital camera to obtain the desired data. And a control means for controlling the reading means and the communication means so as to transmit to the communication destination.

The "digital camera" may be a digital still camera for picking up a still image or a digital video camera for picking up a moving image. Further, it may be a mobile terminal device with a camera such as a mobile phone with a camera.

As the "relatively low speed mobile telephone communication network", the existing data transfer rate is 9600 bps to 640.
It is assumed that it is about 00 bps.

As the "desired destination", a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone, an image server, or the like can be used.

In the digital camera charging device according to the present invention, the control means detects the communication load of the mobile phone communication network, and only when the communication load is less than a predetermined threshold value, the digital camera is charged. It may be a means for controlling the reading means and the communication means so that the image data is read from and is transmitted to the desired destination.

Further, the digital camera charging device according to the present invention further comprises card insertion means for accepting insertion of a UIM card in which communication information for communicating with the desired destination is recorded, and the control is performed. The means may be means for controlling the communication means so as to communicate with the desired destination based on the communication information recorded in the UIM card.

A "UIM card" is a User Identity Mo
Abbreviation for dule card, which is an IC card used for third-generation mobile phones. The "UIM card" has recorded therein communication information necessary for communicating with an external device. The communication information includes personal information for identifying the user of the UIM card, a telephone number given to the user of the UIM card, billing information necessary for billing, and the like. Here, when the user desires to use a plurality of mobile terminal devices, conventionally, it has been necessary to make a contract with a connection company for each mobile terminal device and acquire a telephone number for each mobile terminal device.

In the above-mentioned third-generation mobile phone,
A UIM card can be set. Then, when the user makes a contract with the mobile terminal device connection company for the UIM card, the user simply replaces the UIM card and the same telephone number and billing information are taken over and used even if different mobile terminal devices are used. It will be possible. Therefore, it is possible to meet the demand of the user who wants to properly use a plurality of mobile terminal devices.

[0015]

According to the digital camera charging device of the present invention, the image data is read from the digital camera by the reading means while the digital camera is being charged by the charging means.
The read image data is transmitted to a desired destination by the communication means. Here, since charging the digital camera is indispensable, by transmitting the image data while the digital camera is being charged, the user of the digital camera particularly needs to transmit the image data during the daily charging work. The image data can be transmitted to a desired destination without performing the operation. Therefore, the burden on the user for transmitting the image data can be reduced. Further, since it takes a relatively long time to complete the charging of the digital camera, the charging of the digital camera is often performed while the user of the digital camera is sleeping. Therefore, even if a relatively slow mobile phone communication network that requires a long time to transmit image data is used, the user can transmit the image data to a desired destination without feeling stress due to the slow data transfer. it can.

Further, by detecting the communication load of the mobile phone communication network and transmitting the image data only when the communication load is less than a predetermined threshold value, the transmission time of the image data can be shortened. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the communication fee from becoming high especially when the communication fee is a pay-as-you-go system.

Further, by communicating with a desired destination based on the communication information recorded on the UIM card,
The user of the digital camera can perform communication using the digital camera charging device only by contracting with the UIM card without having to make a plurality of contracts with the communication company. Also,
Only by replacing the UIM card, a plurality of users can transmit image data using the digital camera charging device according to the present invention.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system using a cradle which is a digital camera charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in the communication system according to the present embodiment, the image data S0 acquired by the digital camera 1 is read by the cradle 2 that charges the digital camera 1, and the read image data S0 is read from the cradle 2. The data is transmitted to the network print system 4 via the base station 5 of the mobile phone communication network 3.

In the digital camera 1, the image data S0 acquired by the user of the digital camera 1 by taking an image.
Are recorded in the memory card 11. Further, in the digital camera 1, the order information C describing the details of the order regarding the image data S0 is generated, and the image data S0 is generated.
It is also recorded on the memory card 11.

The order information C describes the order contents of the image data S0, and the print order of the image data S0,
Storage of image data S0, CD-R, D of image data S0
The network print system 4 is instructed to record on a medium such as VD-R. When a print order is placed, the print size, the number of prints, the print type (normal print, postcard print, etc.) are described in the order information C.

Here, the user of the digital camera 1 owns the UIM card 10 in which communication information required for communication is recorded. The communication information recorded on the UIM card 10 includes personal information for identifying the user of the UIM card 10, a telephone number given to the user of the UIM card 10, billing information necessary for billing, and the like. In addition to the communication information, the image data S0 is transmitted to the image server 4
Image server URL, user's address, family name, phone number, shooting date, shooting location, etc. required for sending to 2.
Various information regarding the image is also recorded in the UIM card 10.

The cradle 2 has a digital camera setting section 21 for setting the digital camera 1, charging means 22 for charging the digital camera 1 set in the digital camera setting section 21 via a terminal 22A, and a terminal 23A. The reading means 23 for reading the image data S0 and the order information C from the memory card 11 of the digital camera 1 set in the digital camera setting section 21, the card inserting section 24 for inserting the UIM card 10, and the UIM card 10.
Based on the communication information recorded in the UIM card identification means 25 for determining whether the UIM card 10 is valid, and the UIM card identification means 25 determines that the UIM card 10 is valid. In this case, the communication means 26 that performs communication by the mobile phone communication network 3 and transmits the image data S0 and the order information C read by the reading means 23 to the network print system 4.
And a control means 27 for controlling the entire cradle 2 and an input means 28 for performing various inputs to the cradle 2.

The network print system 4 includes an image server 42 for storing the image data S0 and an image data S0.
The minilab 43 that generates the print P for 0 is network-connected. Here, the image server 42 and the minilab 43 are installed in a photo shop 45 that operates the network print system 4.

As will be described later, the image data S0 and the order information C transmitted from the cradle 2 are received by the base station 5 of the mobile phone communication network 3 and then transmitted to the network print system 4.

The base station 5 is connected to the communication means 26 of the cradle 2.
And a data communication device 51 that performs data communication via the mobile phone communication network 3, and an image server 52 that temporarily stores the received image data S0 and order information C. Base station 5 is network print system 4 and wired LAN
The image data S0 and the order information C are temporarily stored in the image server 52 and then transmitted to the network print system 4.

Here, if the UIM card identifying means 25 determines that the UIM card 10 is valid, as will be described later, the control means 27 provided in the cradle 2 determines that the UIM card 10 is valid.
Monitoring of the communication load of the mobile phone communication network 3 via the communication means 26 is started. Only when the communication load of the mobile phone communication network 3 is lower than a predetermined threshold value, the image data S0
And order information C on the memory card 1 of the digital camera 1.
The reading means 23 and the communication means 26 are controlled so that the reading means 23 and the data communication equipment 51 transmit the data. When the communication load is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold value, the communication time becomes long and the communication cost becomes high. Therefore, the reading means 23 and the communication means 26 are set so as not to start reading and transmitting the image data S0 and the order information C. To control.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing performed in this embodiment. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the order information C for the image data S0 is generated and recorded together with the image data S0 in the memory card 11 of the digital camera 1. In Cradle 2,
The control means 27 monitors whether or not the digital camera 1 is set in the digital camera setting section 21 (step S1). If the result at step S1 is affirmative, the charging means 22 starts charging the digital camera 1. (Step S2).

On the other hand, the card inserting section 2 is controlled by the control means 27.
It is also monitored whether or not the UIM card 10 is inserted in the No. 4 (step S3), and when the step S3 is affirmed,
Communication information is read from the UIM card 10 by the UIM card identifying means 25, and the UIM is read based on this communication information.
It is determined whether the card 10 is valid (step S4). Then, if step S4 is denied, the process is ended, and the control of the cradle 2 using the UIM card 10 is not performed. In this case, U
It is preferable to notify the user that the IM card 10 is invalid. If step S4 is positive,
The communication means 26 starts monitoring the communication load of the mobile phone communication network 3 (step S5).

Then, it is determined whether or not the communication load of the mobile phone communication network 3 is less than a predetermined threshold value (step S6). If step S6 is denied, the communication line is congested and it takes a long time to send and receive the image data S0, so the transmission of the image data S0 and the order information C is not started. Then, the determination of step S6 is performed until step S6 is affirmed, and when step S6 is affirmed, the communication between the communication means 26 and the data communication device 51 of the base station 5 is started (step S7).

The authentication between the data communication device 51 and the UIM card 10 is performed based on the communication information recorded in the UIM card 10. The data communication device 51 is accessed based on the URL recorded in the UIM card 10.

Next, the reading means 23 reads the image data S0 and the order information C from the digital camera 1 set in the digital camera setting section 21 (step S8), and the communication means 26 reads the image data S0 and the order information C. It is transmitted to the data communication device 51 (step S
9), the process ends.

In the data communication device 51, the image data S0 and the order information C are received and temporarily stored in the image server 52, after which the network print system 4
Sent to. In the network print system 4, the image data S0 and the order information C are stored in the image server 42, and the order information C is further stored in the minilab 43.
A print P of the image data S0 is generated based on

Incidentally, the communication means 26 and the data communication equipment 51.
The communication fee with the is charged to the user of the UIM card 10 based on the communication information recorded in the UIM card 10.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the UIM card 10 is inserted into the card insertion portion 74 of the cradle 2, the communication means 26 and the data communication device 51 are based on the communication information recorded in the UIM card 10. Image data S0 read from the digital camera 1 through communication with
And the order information C is transmitted to the data communication device 51.

Here, since charging of the digital camera 1 is indispensable, the user of the digital camera 1 must carry out the charging work every day by transmitting the image data S0 and the order information C while the digital camera 1 is being charged. In particular, the image data S0 and the order information C can be transmitted to the data communication device 51 without performing an operation for transmitting the image data S0 and the order information C. Therefore, the burden on the user for transmitting the image data S0 and the order information C can be reduced. Further, since it takes a relatively long time to complete the charging of the digital camera 1, it is often the case that the user of the digital camera 1 is charged while sleeping. Therefore, even if the relatively slow mobile phone communication network 3, which requires a long time to transmit the image data S0 and the order information C, is used, the user does not feel the stress due to the slow data transfer and the image data is transmitted to the data communication device 51. S0 and order information C can be sent.

The image data S0 and the order information are transmitted by detecting the communication load of the mobile phone communication network 3 and transmitting the image data S0 and the order information C only when the communication load is less than a predetermined threshold value. The transmission time of C can be shortened, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the communication charge from becoming high especially in the case of the time-based metering system.

By communicating with the data communication device 51 based on the communication information recorded in the UIM card 10, the user of the digital camera 1 can use the UIM card 10 without making a plurality of contracts with the communication company. You can communicate using Cradle 2 only by contract. Further, only by replacing the UIM card 10, it becomes possible for a plurality of users to transmit the image data S0 by using the cradle 2 in this embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the image data S0 and the order information C are sent to the data communication device 51 only when the communication load of the mobile phone communication network 3 is less than a predetermined threshold value.
Although the UIM card 10 is determined to be valid without detecting the communication load, the image data S0 and the order information C are immediately transmitted to the digital camera 1.
Data communication device 51 by reading from the memory card 11 of
May be sent to.

Further, in the above embodiment, the UIM
The cradle 2 and the base station 5 communicate with each other based on the communication information recorded on the card 10.
When a user who has a cradle 2 makes a communication contract with the communication company using the cradle 2, the cradle 2 and the base station 5 can communicate with each other without using the UIM card 10.

Although the image data S0 is transmitted to the network print system 4 via the base station 5 in the above embodiment, it may be transmitted to a mobile terminal device such as a friend's mobile phone or PDA. In this case, the destination may be designated by the input means 28 of the cradle 2, but the destination address may be recorded in the UIM card 10.

In this case, it is preferable to reduce the transmitted image data S0 according to the performance of the portable terminal device of the transmission destination. For example, when the image data S0 has a capacity of 600 KB and the image data S0 is transmitted to the PDA, the size of the image represented by the image data S0 is reduced to about 1/60 to reduce the image data capacity. It is about 10 KB. When transmitting the image data S0 to the mobile phone, the size of the image represented by the image data S0 is reduced to about 1/200 and the image data capacity is 3 KB.
The degree. As a result, the communication time at the time of transmission and reception at the mobile terminal device can be shortened, and the communication charge can be reduced. For example, when 600 KB of image data S0 is transmitted, a packet charge of 0.2 yen per 128 bytes requires 937 yen, but 10 KB costs 15.6 yen and 3 KB costs 4.7 yen. The image data S0 can be reduced by providing the cradle 2 with a reducing means.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system using an image charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing performed in this embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 digital camera 2 cradle 3 Mobile phone communication network 4 Network printing system 5 base stations 10 UIM card 11 memory card 21 Digital camera set section 22 Charging means 23 Read-out means 24 Card insertion part 25 UIM card identification means 26 Communication means 27 Control means 28 Input means 42,52 Image server 43 Minilab 45 photo shop 51 Data communication equipment

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A digital camera charging device comprising a charging means for charging a digital camera for acquiring image data by imaging, comprising: a reading means for reading out the image data from the digital camera; and a relatively low speed mobile telephone communication network. Communication means for communicating with the reading means and the reading means for communicating with a desired destination during charging by the charging means, reading the image data from the digital camera, and transmitting the image data to the desired communication destination. A digital camera charging device comprising: a control unit that controls a communication unit. 2. The control means detects a communication load of the mobile phone communication network, and reads the image data from the digital camera to detect the desired load only when the communication load is less than a predetermined threshold value. 2. The digital camera charging device according to claim 1, which is a unit that controls the reading unit and the communication unit so that the reading unit and the communication unit are transmitted. 3. A card insertion unit that accepts insertion of a UIM card in which communication information for communicating with the desired destination is recorded, wherein the control unit includes the communication recorded in the UIM card. 3. The digital camera charging device according to claim 1, which is a unit that controls the communication unit so as to communicate with the desired destination based on information.